Makeba and Uzuri settling in after their journey with Jetpets. Photo Credit: Perth Zoo

Makeba and Uzuri are 3 year old African Lionesses, and we were so excited to take care of them during their travels from Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo to Perth Zoo.

A lot of planning goes into our Special Moves, particularly when the Special Move involves two Lionesses that weigh in excess of 150kg each. With Makeba and Uzuri’s welfare at the front of our mind, our Special Moves Coordinator Sarah worked closely with both zoos to plan the logistics of the move.

Makeba and Uzuri were collected from Taronga Western Plains Zoo and transported by road to Sydney Airport, where we gained airside access for both a Jetpets Representative as well as a Taronga Western Plains Zoo Keeper to ensure the Lionesses were onboarded with the utmost of care.

Makeba and Uzuri travelled on a Virgin Australia Regular Public Transport flight that departed from Sydney at 7.15am, which ensured that the animals were not travelling in the heat of the day. They travelled in their own airline approved travel crates, in a cabin that was air pressured and climate controlled, just like the passenger cabin.

Makeba and Uzuri being loaded onto Virgin Australia Aircraft

Upon arrival into Perth careful planning was in place to ensure the Lionesses were first to be offloaded from the flight and into Jetpets care.

Our Pet Handler then delivered Makeba and Uzuri to Perth Zoo, where they had a process in place to introduce Makeba and Uzuri into their new environment, and a nice environment at that. Perth Zoo has recently constructed a new breeding facility and exhibit for African Lions, taking Western Australia’s ability to make a difference to global lion conservation forward in leaps and bounds.

The new $3.4M facility will house up to eight animals in the future. It includes special dens and holding areas for mothers with cubs.

There’s some new dogs in town at Tasmania Zoo in Launceston and things are going to get wild. Two brothers Dwama and Kondo and a female, Inda have arrived recently from Perth Zoo courtesy of Jetpets. African Wild Dogs or Painted Dogs as they are sometimes called are one of the world’s most critically endangered mammal species on earth.

“Our team have informed me that they travelled well, safely and have since settled into their Tassie home”, said Perth Zoo’s Danielle Henry.

For generations humans have hunted the dogs believing them to be vermin while domestic animals have passed on disease like rabies which have decimated the population in Africa. The species, once numbered close to 500,000 and spread across 40 countries, have unfortunately now dwindled to 5000. Which is why the work being done at Perth Zoo and Tasmania Zoo is so important.

The dogs are a fascinating species displaying keen hunting instincts akin to a SWAT team, being able to lay traps and ambushes for their intended prey or chase them down over vast distances. Their signature mottled coat gives them incredible camouflage amongst the shady clumps of trees and grasses while the patterns signify individuals, with no two dogs having the same pattern distribution. Their satellite like ears are able to pinpoint sounds of animals changing direction which helps the pack track their prey despite not being able to see them through the thick brush.

While the three new additions to Tasmania won’t be a part of a breeding program, by performing this interstate transport these three individuals from Perth Zoo it will free up more space and resources for new individuals to be raised while also raising awareness of this important and incredible species.

“Perth Zoo champions the cause of African Painted Dogs. Our curator set up and runs an NGO Painted Dog Conservation Inc. which aims to protects these dogs in the wild. Amongst other activities he employs locals who conduct anti-poaching patrols and snare removal from the African landscape which causes the painful deaths of many Painted Dogs” said Danielle Henry.

If you would like to see this amazing species and learn more about the conservation effort you can visit Tasmania Zoo’s website to arrange a visit or if you would like to donate to Perth Zoo’s conservation efforts you can do so by visiting their website.

We recently transported a gorgeous Southern Hairy-Nosed Wombat from Kalgoorlie, to Perth Zoo! Thanks to Wayne for filling us in on how this gorgeous Wombat is settling into her new home.

“Jasmine, thanks for all your help at Jetpets. The support we received from your people in Kalgoorlie was excellent. This transfer is the result of a lot of dedicated work from Rowena Walker from Hopbush Wildlife Sanctuary in Coolgardie, WA who raised the wombat from an infant to the size she is now and the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

An excellent result as the wombat went straight into a breeding program at the Perth Zoo. It is very rewarding seeing rehabilitated animals making it back to the wild or getting the chance like this one has in joining a breeding program to help secure the population of Southern Hairy-nosed Wombats in this state. Once again thanks for the help we received from Jetpets.